Week 4 football predictions
September 21st, 2011 at Wed, 21st, 2011 at 2:08 pm by Kevin Endejan
Here are our week four predictions. Three weeks into the season and Bellevue Reporter sportswriter Josh Suman and myself are tied at 27-13 overall. The readers are 26-14 in their picks. Last week’s results are listed at the bottom of the page.
Be sure to vote for this week’s games and chime in if you have any opinions.
BIG 5
Issaquah vs. Skyline
Kevin - This is always an interesting rivalry game, but is even more intriguing this season. Skyline comes in losing two consecutive games for the first time since 1998 – falling to Bellevue and Lake Oswego, Ore. Issaquah enters the game at 3-0. Spartans’ quarterback Max Browne is averaging 313 yards through the air, while the Eagles have outscored opponents 126-28. Motivation won’t be difficult for either of these squads to muster. The question remains, who will be able to stop the other’s offense? Skyline surrendered 428 yards and seven touchdowns from one running back in its 56-46 loss. Issaquah likes to run the ball behind talented sophomore Jack Gellatly. On the other hand, the Eagles haven’t seen a pass attack anywhere near Skyline’s in its first three games. Skyline holds a six-game win streak over Issaquah, dating back to 2006. Having not witnessed an Issaquah victory over Skyline in my four years covering these two teams it makes it difficult to pick against the Spartans. Regardless, I think this will be one of the closest matchups I’ve seen between these two teams.
Pick: Skyline 34-32
Josh - Current Skyline players were in elementary school (some were actually probably in preschool) the last time the Spartans dropped two straight and have to be hungrier than ever this week, especially considering the opponent. Issaquah has looked good in going 3-0, but has yet to face an opponent that wasn’t severely overmatched. There’s a lot to like about the Eagles and I don’t think there is any doubt they are a round of 16 team (or better) come playoff time, but my gut says Skyline is going to get back on track.
Pick: Skyline 33-28
Seattle Prep vs. Eastside Catholic
Kevin - Eastside Catholic coach Jeremy Thielbahr admitted after last Friday’s 34-0 win over Centennial his team has yet to put together what he considers a perfect game. The Crusaders certainly need to get closer to that this week if they want to find success against a hot Seattle Prep squad. Quarterback Jackson Clough, along with running back Tere Calloway have helped the Panthers put up 125 points in three games — an average of close to 42 points per game. The Crusaders will need big plays from their big-play makers, running back Chevy Walker and quarterback Trey Reynolds.
Pick: Seattle Prep 35-28
Josh - No analysis needed here. I went to Eastside Catholic, needless to say I’m not exactly a Seattle Prep ambassador. Simply put: I would rather be wrong than pick the Panthers.
Pick: Eastside Catholic 34-33
Kevin - Mount Si has really found its groove since loosing to Woodinville in week one. The Wildcats have bounced back with wins over Bothell and Lake Washington. A multifaceted running attack, efficient quarterback and accurate kicker helped get Mount Si back on track. Liberty finally found its way into the win column last week, hammering Sammamish. The Patriots graduated “their big three,” but quarterback Jordan West and running back Hamilton Noel have returned some of the mojo that departed. This could be a close one.
Pick: Mount Si 28-21
Josh - Maybe Woodinville is just really good. The Wildcats’ loss to open the season was somewhat of a surprise at the time, but looks better with each Falcons’ win. Mount Si has rebounded nicely as well by beating Bothell and then handling Lake Washington 42-0 last week. The Patriots dominated Sammamish for their first win of the year and running back Hamilton Noel went in for three scores on the ground, which is a good sign going forward for Liberty. That being said, Mount Si has a better resume right now and should take care of business in this one.
Pick: Mount Si 34-21
Kevin - Bellevue Christian looks to continue its streak of consecutive program wins this week, going for three in a row at La Conner. Quarterback Kemper McQuaid has Viking offense off to a hot start, throwing for six TDs in his first two games. If BC can handle the long drive to the Skagit Valley, look for the Vikings to keep things rolling against the winless Braves.
Pick: Bellevue Christian 32-20
Josh - Before the season, one BCS player told me, “I expect us to win. We’re going to go hard and destroy (opponents).”At the time, it seemed like a lot of hot air. After two lopsided wins, it’s starting to seem like the truth. The Vikings will face 2B opponents the rest of the regular season and should have the physical advantage every time out. La Conner has scored only 20 points in three games, including a close-call with Friday Harbor and a lashing from both Nooksack Valley and Adna. That doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. Look for Kemper McQuaid to make some big plays in the passing game and the BCS defense to continue to stand up against the run in a big win.
Pick: Bellevue Christian 45-10
Kevin - On paper this game shouldn’t be close. Then again, it was just two years ago undefeated Eastlake went into Redmond and was stunned by the winless Mustangs. Strange things can happen in rivalry games. That said, I don’t think there will be a repeat of the 2009 upset. For one, the wound is still fresh for coach Gene Dales and his staff. The top-ranked Wolves have yet to put a completely efficient team victory under their belts. I’m sure they couldn’t think of a better week to get things rolling. Look for quarterback Keegan Kemp along with running back Ryan Lewis to have big games for Eastlake.
Pick: Eastlake 42-14
Josh - Redmond has spent the first three weeks of the season getting decimated by 3A and 4A foes alike. The closest they have come thus far is a 39-17 loss to a Lake Washington team that was dismantled 42-0 by Mount Si a week later. Eastlake, meanwhile, has ascended to the top of our 4A state rankings after continuing to drub overmatched opponents combined with the two defeats for their Sammamish counterparts from Skyline. I smell a mismatch.
Pick: Eastlake 48-3
Kevin - Bellevue 42-7
Josh - Bellevue 50-0
Kevin - Mercer Island 35-14
Josh - Mercer Island 35-30
Kevin - Juanita 35-10
Josh - Juanita 42-0
Kevin: 11-2
Josh: 10-3
Readers: 10-3
Year to date
Kevin: 27-13
Josh: 27-13
Readers: 26-14
